LAHORE: A seven-member British Parliamentary delegation, led by Nigel Paul Huddleston visited the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry and shown keen interest in developing trade and economic relations between the two countries.
The LCCI President Abdul Basit and Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa spoke on the occasion while Mian Zahid Javed, Zeeshan Khalil, Khamis Saeed Butt, Dr. Qurat ul Ain, Mian Abdul Razzaq and Haji Muhammad Akram were also present.
Head of the delegation Nigel Paul said that visit of British Parliamentarians is a continuation of high level exchanges between the two countries. He said that this visit will further enhance and strengthen Pakistan-UK relations and up-scale existing co-operation in diverse fields, particularly in areas of common interest. He said that Pakistan has made a significant progress during the past few years in economic and social sectors. The delegation members pledged to work for better visa policies for the businessmen.
The LCCI President Abdul Basit said that UK’s main reason for being such a developed country is their strong socio-political atmosphere where the people and the government work hand in hand for the betterment of the country.
He said that Lahore Chamber has been maintaining good working relations with all the departments working in Pakistan under British High Commission. The heads of British Department for International Development, UK Trade & Investment, British Business Center etc., keep visiting Lahore Chamber to identify areas and make joint efforts to promote trade & investment relations between two countries.
The LCCI President said that development work under China Pakistan Economic Corridor is being carried out at good pace whose total worth is almost dollar 46 billion. Gwadar Port has become partially operational. It is a big opportunity with regard to economic future of Pakistan. Many countries including Russia, Germany, Iran are showing interest to be partner in this mega project. We urge that UK based investors should also participate in it. You can definitely play role in this connection.
He said that a large segment of population living in UK belongs to South Asia. For a number of Pakistanis, UK is a second home. Whenever Pakistanis go to UK, they always feel like that they are in a familiar surrounding. He said that UK happens to be homeland to many Pakistanis because they are generally treated without any discrimination. They find equal opportunities to contribute in that society and are playing excellent roles in all the segments of life. He said that it is evenly proud fact that Mr. Sadiq Khan has been elected Mayor of London. Similarly many Pakistanis are serving UK society in different roles.
“It is our good luck that today Parliamentarians from UK who have a great role in policy making are sitting with us. We hope that our relations with UK based community will improve and today’s meeting will go a long way in strengthening political as well as the trade and investment relations between two countries” Abdul Basit added.
